A DEVASTATED mum forced to listen as her estranged husband murdered their four sons yesterday faced fresh heartbreak over a memorial.

Denbighshire council bosses' say Samantha Tolley needs planning permission for her roadside tribute to the youngsters.

But in August the 31-year-old, whose four boys were killed on the Horseshoe Pass near Llangollen, was told by officials she didn't need permission.

Last night the grieving mum blasted the council U-turn - and a local who apparently threatened to tear down the memorial.

The distressing saga has rumbled on since Keith Young killed the youngsters in March 2003 in a fume-filled car.

Samantha is still coming to terms with the death of Joshua, seven, Thomas, six, Callum, five, and three-year-old Daniel.

The Winsford-based mum, who has a new baby son Morghan, had the metal memorial, built by a local craftsman. It incorporates a stone plaque and will stand 4ft high and 3ft wide alongside the road.

Council officials said yesterday a planning application looks necessary, turning Samantha's delight in August to despair.

Last night she said: "If they had concerns about the size why couldn't they have asked me about it at the time and it could have been sorted out then?

"They say I can have it, and then they say I can't and need planning permission.

"I now face another Christmas without the memorial in place for my boys. I just can't believe it has dragged on for so long. I will have to go along with a planning application.

"When the memorial was taken to the spot by the person who built it, this local said to him he would tear it down.

"I just can't believe people can be so heartless."

A Denbighshire council spokesman said: "The council did state earlier this year that no planning permission was needed for a plaque. However, following recent discussions about the size of the commemorative memorial, there may now be a need for planning permission.

"Discussions are on-going and the parties concerned have indicated their intention to submit a planning application."

The Countryside Council for Wales backed Samantha's proposals for the memorial.